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All Peri wanted to do was show his older cousin a meme.
Somehow that was too much to ask of the universe.
Timmy was usually in his room, either playing video games or whatever. He barely heard him all evening which was odd. So when he heard a faint thump from the other side of the wall, he assumed his cousin was finally home.
He seemed to be staying out later these days. Doing what? No one in the family really knew.
At least Peri’s favorite cousin was back. He grabbed his phone and loaded up the video he meant to show Timmy earlier. Sure he could've sent it to him but it was funnier to see Timmy’s reaction.
Peri had this phone in one hand and opened Timmy’s door with the other.
“You’ll never guess what-” Peri’s eyes landed on the hooded figure with a mask. His entire face was covered in black cloth with one two crudely attached lenses.
The two locked eyes. Neither moved. This was not his cousin. This was someone who broke into Timmy’s room, from the second floor? Surely, there were easier houses to rob. But this had to be a thief. Someone who could probably stab him. Badly.
Peri stayed calmed.
“DAD!” Peri ran out into the hall. He didn’t even know if his dad was home but it was worth a shot.
Thwip.
Something hit Peri’s back and yanked him back inside Timmy’s room. His phone flew from his hand. He fell flat on the floor. The stranger looming over him.
Peri went to scream again but the stranger shot something from their wrist. His mouth closed shut. He tried to look down. His hands were going towards the bottom half of his face trying to rip off whatever was stuck to his mouth.
It wasn't coming off.
He screamed but it came out muffled.
“Peri-” The stranger said.
Oh dear. This person knew his name. He was dead. He had to do something.
Peri turned over and started hitting the stranger's legs. He wasn't going down without a fight. No matter how pathetic and one sided the fight was.
“Peri, calm down!” The stranger whispered angrily. He crouched down and ripped off the ski mask.
It was Timmy.
“Mmy?” Peri’s eyes widened. This only raised more questions.
How did Timmy get onto the second floor? The window was open but there was no possible way, no stairs or balcony except for his door.
Why was he even breaking into his own room in the first place?
What the fuck was that thing with his wrist?
“Boys?” Wanda’s footsteps made their way up the stairs.
The two of them gave each other an ‘ oh shit’ look. Panic in both their eyes. Moreso in Timmy’s.
At that moment Peri understood. Whatever was happening, mom and dad were not to be told about it. Peri got off the floor and tried to break off whatever was stuck to his face.
Timmy ran to the door and slammed it shut. They both winced knowing that was about to get Timmy into even more trouble.
“Everything’s fine, Aunt Wanda!” Timmy took off his hoodie and threw it into the corner. He did a weird motion that let out…
Webs?
Okay, what the fuck Timmy.
The webs latched onto the mask and he grabbed it and tossed it into the corner. He rushed over to Peri and ripped off the webbing.
Peri yelped. The webbing was stuck onto Timmy’s hands now. Panic overtook the cousins.
Wanda knocked on the door. Peri ran to stop the door from opening all the way.
“Hey Mom!” Peri nervously laughed. The door was only open an inch.
In the corner of his eye, his cousin was quietly panicking. Timmy was flailing around trying to get the webs off his own hands. Serves him right that stuff is strong and sticky.
“Is everything alright Sweetie?” Wanda held her hand against the door. Her soft tired eyes almost let Peri’s guard down. Almost.
He straightened his posture, “Of course. Haha. Um- Why wouldn't it be? It’s not like I thought someone was breaking in- Because no one can break in! Especially not from the second floor because that’s impossible-” He paused. “Timmy and I were just playing a game. It got a little rough. Because we were… Pretending to be wrestlers?”
Wanda looked confused, she shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. “Timmy’s home?”
It was at that moment when Timmy finally took control. He opened the door fully and shoved Peri out. Peri restrained himself from letting out a whimper. Jeez, when did Timmy get so strong? That hurt.
“Yeah, sorry I didn't tell you earlier Aunt Wanda.” Timmy smiled.
“Just… Don't make it a habit, alright Sport?”
Timmy gave a mini salute, “Aye aye, Captain Wanda.”
Wanda sighed, “We’re talking later. Both of you. You two know how I get about slamming doors and roughhousing.” She started walking back downstairs and let her voice carry itself back up, “Dinner will be ready in twenty minutes.”
Peri turned to Timmy. His mouth failing to make an coherent words. They were more akin to baby babbles then sentences.
Timmy grabbed his wrist and pulled him inside. He closed the door with a little too much caution. His room was the way it always been. Aside from the broken cobwebs on the floor. Tiny strains littered across the already messy floor.
“Timmy… What happened?”
“Um.” Timmy took a deep breath and grimaced with a shrug. “I’m not one hundred percent sure but I think a spider did this. Or a spider allergy? Something related to a spider that’s for sure.” Timmy started going on about a field trip a few months back. The discovery of spider related powers. The webs he could shoot out of his wrist.
“Long story short I’m kind of a vigilante now?” Timmy did nervous jazz hands.
Peri was stuck in a daze. This was a lot to process. All he wanted to do was eat but now his stomach couldn’t handle the idea of his cousin going out there and fighting criminals. People with guns and weapons. Scratch that, his cousin had superpowers. Spider themed superpowers.
“What is my life?” Peri thought aloud.
“You weren’t the one who got sick from spider bite.”
Peri shot up. “And you didn’t go to the hospital?!”
“I thought it would be fine.” Timmy grumbled.
“You can produce webs from your wrists. That is not fine.”
“Drama queen.”
“I’m gonna be honest Timmy. I don’t like this.”
“I’m not asking for your approval, I just don’t want you to rat me out to your mom or dad.”
“And I won’t. I…” Peri had no idea what to say. It was always Timmy who looked out for him. Sure, his cousin has done reckless things before but this is a new level of insanity. “I just don’t know.”
“But you won’t rat me out right?” Hesistation from Timmy's part. As if Timmy hadn't helped Peri cover up countless mistakes. As if they hadn't grown up together.
They were ride or die.
Peri shook his head no. He wouldn't tell, he trusted Timmy.
“Good. I owe you one.” Timmy gave him a soft smile.
It was Peri who owed Timmy a lot. He left without a saying another word. His phone was still on the hallway floor. He picked it up.
Peri suppressed a laugh, of course the meme he wanted to show Timmy happened to be about a spider.